The coronavirus pandemic is changing not only the delivery of cancer care. It’s also changing the reasoning applied to individual clinical scenarios.
The current evidence landscape for COVID-19 in patients with cancer is limited. But various groups have offered guidance based on consensus and available information.
To make it easier to monitor how cancer care is evolving, our clinical oncology leadership has collected guidance from some of the world’s leading health care and oncology organizations.
Updated: Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Summaries on cancer care during the coronavirus pandemic
Increasingly, health care publications and providers are publishing summaries about the care of cancer patients in the face of the pandemic.
- UptoDate: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Cancer care during the pandemic
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network: Coronavirus disease 2019 resources for the cancer care community
- The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO): Common questions about COVID-19 and cancer: Answers for patients and survivors
Resources on COVID-19-adjusted cancer treatment approaches
Numerous professional cancer care societies have released helpful resources on adjusting cancer treatment during the pandemic.
- ASCO: COVID-19 patient care information
- The American Society of Hematology: COVID-19 resources
- The European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO): COVID-19: Supporting oncology professionals
- The American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO): COVID-19 recommendations and information
- The American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT): ASTCT resources for COVID-19
- UK National Institute for Healthcare Excellence (NICE): COVID-19 rapid guideline: Delivery of radiotherapy
- UK NICE: COVID-19 rapid guideline: Delivery of systemic anticancer treatments
Guidelines for testing patients with cancer for SARS-Co-V2
Providers and academic medical journals are publishing guidelines on how to test for coronavirus among patients with cancer.
- Seattle Cancer Care Alliance: SCCA Clinic SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory viral testing guidelines for patients
- University of Washington: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) testing criteria
- Passaro et al., Annals of Oncology, PMID 32278879: Testing for COVID-19 in lung cancer patients
Resources on delivering palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic
Leading palliative care organizations are sharing resources and insights on caring for patients with advanced illness during the pandemic.
- Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine: Resources to address coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Center for the Advancement of Palliative Care (CAPC): CAPC COVID-19 response resources
- VitalTalk: COVID ready communication playbook
- Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (CTAC): Coronavirus (COVID-19): Resources to support serious illness population
- Mehta AK, Smith TJ. JAMA Oncology. PMID 32379855: Palliative Care for Patients With Cancer in the COVID-19 Era
Resources on managing clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic
On the regulatory side, major institutions have released guidance on managing clinical trials during this pandemic:
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Guidance on conduct of clinical trials of medical products during COVID-19 public health emergency
- National Cancer Institute (NCI): Coronavirus guidance
- European Medicines Agency (EMA): Guidance on the management of clinical trials during COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic
Treatment adjustments oncologists are considering
As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, oncologists around the world are considering significant changes to how they treat cancer.
Some of these adjustments include:
- Using active surveillance when possible
- Relying on the least immunosuppressive treatment when clinically appropriate
- Prescribing oral regimens when feasible to enhance social distancing
- Extending treatment intervals when clinically appropriate
- Deferring imaging studies when clinically appropriate
- Conducting visits via telemedicine when clinically appropriate
We will continue to update this resource center as new guidance, resources, and evidence emerge on how to safely and appropriately treat cancer care during the pandemic.
Note: The resources, guidance, and treatment adjustments listed above do not constitute medical advice and/or medical care and do not guarantee results or outcomes. They are not a substitute for the experience and judgment of a physician or other health care professionals. AIM disclaims all responsibility for any consequences or liability attributable or related to any use, nonuse, or interpretation of information contained in these resources listed above.